#258 l Grand 50 Tower l KAOHSIUNG l 222m l 50fl

stanford · November 24th, 2002, 12:04 AM

Grand 50 Tower
Kaohsiung, Taiwan

HEIGHT: 222m/728 feet
FLOORS: 50 floors
COMPLETION: 1992
ARCHITECT: ?

The building's design uses the traditional Chinese pagoda style, where it looks like a block setting on another block. The building is an octagon-shaped to reduce force from the wind.

Chang-Gu World Trade Center is the first building in Taiwan over 50 floors. It was the tallest building in Taiwan for 6 months, from 1992 until early 1993 when Shin-Kong Life Tower was completed in Taipei.

Modern treatment of tones and textures utilizing traditional stone, combined with the dichotomy of complex aluminum shapes, present an instantly recognized image.

The 50-storey high structure is fully unitized for the entire wall system, some of the larger units are over 7 metres in height.

The entire project demanded the highest standards of finish and materials. The test specimen was subjected to very high windloads; the project was tested to pressures equivalent to a wind speed in excess of 300 mph.

Chang-Gu World Trade Center was the tallest building in Kaohsiung from 1992 until the Tuntex & Chien-Ti Tower was completed in 1997.

Currently the 2nd tallest building in Kaohsiung, and 3rd tallest in Taiwan.

AG · November 24th, 2002, 12:42 AM

It's too boxy, but the facade is quite good. The style isn't bad, especially with the pagoda like top and shape.

7/10

RafflesCity · November 24th, 2002, 01:19 AM

8.5/10

This is one ethnic design that really works IMO. The setbacks are well-proportioned and graceful. Only the top looks heavy.

High points for being daring and beautiful.

SteelCity32 · November 24th, 2002, 04:13 AM

I like it. Whats the style of this one?

8/10

stanford · November 24th, 2002, 05:08 AM

daring, has an asian feeling. love its façade, the top does look a bit bulky.

9/10 one of C.Y. Lee's better ones

***TYW*** · November 24th, 2002, 10:26 AM

4.5/10

don't really like it. the shape of the building is quite nice though.

November 24th, 2002, 10:29 PM

I don't like the bulge at the very top but the rest is very good.

8/10

SUNNI · November 25th, 2002, 08:20 AM

8, nice building.. a little bit of height would do some good,.. altho its tall enough..

November 26th, 2002, 08:22 AM

Hmm...

Well, if they like it over in Taiwan, then I like it.

I really have no idea what to give it.

Caledon1981 · November 26th, 2002, 08:57 PM

i dunno there are some crazy towers over there . . .that looks like it belongs in Vegas!! 6/10

Jasonhouse · November 28th, 2002, 04:12 AM

While the building is terrible IMO, this thread about it is awesome. Well done! The building is a PoMo disaster though, almost as bad as the skyscrapers in Wuhan.

6.0/10

giallo · November 30th, 2002, 01:49 PM

The top totally ruins this building. It had so much potential. What a waste. 6.5

Pablo · November 30th, 2002, 03:46 PM

yeoh awesoem building

6/10

DamienK · December 4th, 2002, 12:45 PM

I've always liked the unusual design and colouring. . . 9/10

D-Mac · December 5th, 2002, 12:19 AM

Check out this picture

This is my favourite picture of this tower. It looks so large and imposing, but also like a giant monument. The top is a bit funny from some angles, but it fits right in when looking up at the tower from close, like in that second picture. The pagoda style is very interesting and unusual. Great building 9.0/10

Liz L · December 5th, 2002, 03:32 AM

7/10 - I like the multiple indentations at the corners, the cornice at the top of each set back, and the outward curve at the bottom of each segment. The cornices in particular not only resemble a pagoda, but remind me a bit of late 19th & early 20th century buildings, such as the Wainwright or the Flatiron.
However, the building is still too broad and blocky, even with the set backs, some parts of the facade could use a bit more detailing on the stonework, and that so-called crown - ARRGH!

It's blocky and awkward, and doesn't seem to have any connection with the tower below it at all! All of that effort, and just a flat roof with a ticky-tacky, scrawny out of place antenna and a guy wire - they could have spared themselves the effort, and simply built the tower up with a series of setbacks culminating in a spire...THe only good thing about that crown as it is, is that it doesn't look quite so monumentally out of place when you're looking straight up at it from the ground...

Bob di Gills · December 5th, 2002, 10:49 PM

thats a

in me book

4/10

December 6th, 2002, 11:52 PM

yeah it looks like a giant monument!

less than 5

Bobdreamz · December 7th, 2002, 04:14 AM

this is hideous to look at...looks more like a monument than a skyscraper...what is going on in Taiwan anyways??..the TFC looks like a bunch of tupperware stacked up & now this..??....maybe Taiwan should rejoin China ..at least they know how to build skyscrapers!

less than 3/10...sorry.

De Snor · December 8th, 2002, 07:52 PM

what a stupid piece of architecture

A 10 for those who dare looking at it , a less than 3 for it's design :X

View Poll Results: Rate?
10	12	5.26%
9.5	5	2.19%
9	8	3.51%
8.5	14	6.14%
8	21	9.21%
7.5	9	3.95%
7	30	13.16%
6.5	12	5.26%
6	13	5.70%
5.5	6	2.63%
5	18	7.89%
4.5	7	3.07%
4	18	7.89%
3.5	3	1.32%
3 or less	52	22.81%
Voters: 228. You may not vote on this poll

November 24th, 2002, 12:04 AM	#1
stanford Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 89 Likes (Received): 0	#258 l Grand 50 Tower l KAOHSIUNG l 222m l 50fl Grand 50 Tower Kaohsiung, Taiwan HEIGHT: 222m/728 feet FLOORS: 50 floors COMPLETION: 1992 ARCHITECT: ? The building's design uses the traditional Chinese pagoda style, where it looks like a block setting on another block. The building is an octagon-shaped to reduce force from the wind. Chang-Gu World Trade Center is the first building in Taiwan over 50 floors. It was the tallest building in Taiwan for 6 months, from 1992 until early 1993 when Shin-Kong Life Tower was completed in Taipei. Modern treatment of tones and textures utilizing traditional stone, combined with the dichotomy of complex aluminum shapes, present an instantly recognized image. The 50-storey high structure is fully unitized for the entire wall system, some of the larger units are over 7 metres in height. The entire project demanded the highest standards of finish and materials. The test specimen was subjected to very high windloads; the project was tested to pressures equivalent to a wind speed in excess of 300 mph. Chang-Gu World Trade Center was the tallest building in Kaohsiung from 1992 until the Tuntex & Chien-Ti Tower was completed in 1997. Currently the 2nd tallest building in Kaohsiung, and 3rd tallest in Taiwan. Last edited by ZZ-II; July 21st, 2008 at 05:56 PM.

November 24th, 2002, 04:13 AM	#4
SteelCity32 Don't be that guy! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,098 Likes (Received): 0	I like it. Whats the style of this one? 8/10 __________________ I often dream of huge numb buildings, jet black sinister architecture. Being installed when nobody sees. Their appearence so sudden that few would take notice.

November 24th, 2002, 10:26 AM	#6
*TYW* Penang Skyscrapers Hunter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: George Town Posts: 9,276 Likes (Received): 1	4.5/10 don't really like it. the shape of the building is quite nice though. __________________ THE CITY OF GEORGE TOWN, PENANG - 55 YEARS (1ST JANUARY 1957) "the said Municipality of George Town shall on the First Day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty seven and forever thereafter be a city and shall be called and styled the CITY OF GEORGE TOWN instead of the Municipality of George Town and shall thenceforth have all such rank, liberties, privileges and immunities as are incident to a city." - Queen Elizabeth II

November 25th, 2002, 08:20 AM	#8
SUNNI architect by day Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 3,059 Likes (Received): 0	8, nice building.. a little bit of height would do some good,.. altho its tall enough.. __________________ kr.au

November 24th, 2002, 12:42 AM	#2
AG Engineer in training Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gladstone (ex. Adelaide) Posts: 2,022 Likes (Received): 0	It's too boxy, but the facade is quite good. The style isn't bad, especially with the pagoda like top and shape. 7/10

November 24th, 2002, 01:19 AM	#3
RafflesCity By Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S I N G A P O R E Posts: 26,215 Likes (Received): 2	8.5/10 This is one ethnic design that really works IMO. The setbacks are well-proportioned and graceful. Only the top looks heavy. High points for being daring and beautiful.

November 24th, 2002, 05:08 AM	#5
stanford Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 89 Likes (Received): 0	daring, has an asian feeling. love its façade, the top does look a bit bulky. 9/10 one of C.Y. Lee's better ones

November 24th, 2002, 10:29 PM	#7
Sunflower Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	I don't like the bulge at the very top but the rest is very good. 8/10

November 26th, 2002, 08:22 AM	#9
Daniel8ty8 Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	Hmm... Well, if they like it over in Taiwan, then I like it. I really have no idea what to give it.

November 26th, 2002, 08:57 PM	#10
Caledon1981 --------- Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: OKC Posts: 217 Likes (Received): 0	i dunno there are some crazy towers over there . . .that looks like it belongs in Vegas!! 6/10 __________________ --------

November 28th, 2002, 04:12 AM	#11
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	While the building is terrible IMO, this thread about it is awesome. Well done! The building is a PoMo disaster though, almost as bad as the skyscrapers in Wuhan. 6.0/10

November 30th, 2002, 01:49 PM	#12
giallo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shanghai Posts: 241 Likes (Received): 1	The top totally ruins this building. It had so much potential. What a waste. 6.5

November 30th, 2002, 03:46 PM	#13
Pablo Jian Fa Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: George Town, JB Posts: 3,310 Likes (Received): 0	yeoh awesoem building 6/10 __________________ Malaysia Truly ASIA

December 4th, 2002, 12:45 PM	#14
DamienK Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Perth Posts: 3,258 Likes (Received): 12	I've always liked the unusual design and colouring. . . 9/10 __________________ 21st Century Coeds - Some things never change Read the webcomic

December 5th, 2002, 12:19 AM	#15
D-Mac Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 144 Likes (Received): 0	Grand 50 Tower (by which name it is also known) Check out this picture This is my favourite picture of this tower. It looks so large and imposing, but also like a giant monument. The top is a bit funny from some angles, but it fits right in when looking up at the tower from close, like in that second picture. The pagoda style is very interesting and unusual. Great building 9.0/10

December 5th, 2002, 03:32 AM	#16
Liz L Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 403 Likes (Received): 0	7/10 - I like the multiple indentations at the corners, the cornice at the top of each set back, and the outward curve at the bottom of each segment. The cornices in particular not only resemble a pagoda, but remind me a bit of late 19th & early 20th century buildings, such as the Wainwright or the Flatiron. However, the building is still too broad and blocky, even with the set backs, some parts of the facade could use a bit more detailing on the stonework, and that so-called crown - ARRGH! It's blocky and awkward, and doesn't seem to have any connection with the tower below it at all! All of that effort, and just a flat roof with a ticky-tacky, scrawny out of place antenna and a guy wire - they could have spared themselves the effort, and simply built the tower up with a series of setbacks culminating in a spire...THe only good thing about that crown as it is, is that it doesn't look quite so monumentally out of place when you're looking straight up at it from the ground... __________________ Liz L Art Deco rules!

December 5th, 2002, 10:49 PM	#17
Bob di Gills Hope... Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 66 Likes (Received): 0	thats a in me book 4/10 __________________ The difference between involvement and commitment is like an egg and bacon breakfast......the chicken was involved the pig was committed.

December 6th, 2002, 11:52 PM	#18
skyway Guest Posts: n/a Likes (Received):	yeah it looks like a giant monument! less than 5

December 7th, 2002, 04:14 AM	#19
Bobdreamz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Miami/Orlando, Florida Posts: 1,846 Likes (Received): 3	this is hideous to look at...looks more like a monument than a skyscraper...what is going on in Taiwan anyways??..the TFC looks like a bunch of tupperware stacked up & now this..??....maybe Taiwan should rejoin China ..at least they know how to build skyscrapers! less than 3/10...sorry. __________________ Metro Miami...1000+ highrises completed & under construction.

December 8th, 2002, 07:52 PM	#20
De Snor Forever Travelling Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 6,353 Likes (Received): 15	what a stupid piece of architecture A 10 for those who dare looking at it , a less than 3 for it's design :X

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode